This Immunization Week Learn About The 6 In 1 Vaccine For Babies

Every baby receives immunity through the placenta, a mothers blessing to her child at birth. However, there are other ailments that can only be prevented with medical intervention in the form of drops or injections. Vaccination for pregnant women and babies has a long history, not only in India but also in the rest of the world. Vaccines deliver a wide range of cost-effective health solutions to the escalating world population scenario. One such effective vaccination solution is 6 in 1 vaccine for babies. 

The History

Immunization saves approximately 2.5 million lives each year, thanks to Edward Jenner for inventing the first smallpox vaccine in the year 1796. The 6 in 1 vaccine is a step toward the diverse efforts made to improve human life expectancy. Also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine, the 6 in 1 vaccine was first licensed in Europe in the early 2000s and has been in preferred use since. In many countries, the 6 in 1, which included the Hepatitis-B shot, was the organic replacement for the 5 in 1 vaccine that excluded immunity against Hepatitis B.

What is 6 in 1 vaccine? 

The 6 in 1 vaccine is one of the first combination vaccines that babies receive when they are 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. It's an inactivated vaccine, which means it does not contain live organisms, thereby removing the risk of your child getting any undesirable life-threatening condition from the shot. The combination vaccine protects the babies from six diseases in a single jab. These diseases are:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus 
• Whooping cough or Pertussis
• Polio or Poliomyelitis 
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
• Hepatitis B

What are the advantages of 6 in 1 Vaccine?

There are plenty of advantages of choosing 6 in 1 over the traditional individual vaccines. The foremost advantage is that the vaccine is a one time jab instead of six, which greatly reduces the infant’s discomfort and parent’s emotional turmoil. Apart from the needle discomfort, the 6 in 1 shot simplifies the immunization calendar for the baby and its family. It is safe to be given in combination with other vaccines. 

Does the 6 in 1 vaccine have any side effects?

When it comes to the infant’s safety, concerns are natural. Like other vaccines, 6 in 1 also has mild side effects which may or may not show after immunization. Some of those side effects are:

• Swelling, bruising or bleeding at the injection site
• Pain
• Unusual crying
• Fever
• Vomiting sensation
• Loss of appetite
• Irritable behaviour 
• Seizure or fits 

In very rare cases, a baby may show severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to 6 in 1, but on-time treatment with adrenaline assures full and quick recovery. 

Who should not take the 6 in 1 vaccine?

Your specialist will avoid administering the 6 in 1 vaccine to your baby if he/she has:

• Vaccine allergy 
• High fever at the time of the vaccination appointment
• Neurological problems like epilepsy 
• Already had a severe reaction to the previous dose 

With all that said, the 6 in 1 vaccine works well and is very safe for your baby. To understand the vaccine and its functioning better, do make your doctor aware of your concerns before immunization.